Tag: LGBT protections

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North Carolina: Charlotte City Council Passes Important LGBT Nondiscrimination Protections

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The Charlotte City Council has approvede an LGBT nondiscrimination bill on Monday night in a 7 to 4 vote.

The Charlotte ordinance, which is slated to take effect in April, bans discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in housing and places of public accommodation. (State law does not allow cities to ban workplace discrimination.)

“The City Council’s vote today sends a clear message that discrimination has no place in Charlotte,” said HRC National Field Director Marty Rouse. “Everyone, regardless of who they are, should have the legal right to feel safe in their community, and we commend the City Council for standing with us on the side of fairness and equality in the Queen City.”

Gov. Pat McCrory has previously stated that state lawmakers could “immediately” take action to block the law in a Sunday email to city officials.

This development makes Charlotte the latest center for the LGBT movement where nondiscrimination laws have struggled since winning marriage equality won at the Supreme Court last June.

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North Carolina Governor Threatens “State Legislative Intervention” If Charlotte LGBT Protections Are Passed

North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory

Proposed changes to city ordinances on behalf of LGBT citizens is already getting push back from North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory, who says if the legislation passes it “will most likely cause immediate State legislative intervention.”

The concern for McCrory seems to be language that, as part of new LGBT protections, would allow transgender residents to use gender appropriate public bathrooms. The Republican governor is not down with that.

From the Charlotte Observer:

“It is not only the citizens of Charlotte that will be impacted by changing basic restroom and locker room norms but also citizens from across our state and nation who visit and work in Charlotte,” McCrory said in an email to the council’s two Republicans, Ed Driggs and Kenny Smith. “This shift in policy could also create major public safety issues by putting citizens in possible danger from deviant actions by individuals taking improper advantage of a bad policy.”

McCrory, a Republican, continued: “Also, this action of allowing a person with male anatomy, for example, to use a female restroom or locker room will most likely cause immediate State legislative intervention which I would support as governor.”

Driggs and Smith voted against the ordinance a year ago and have been skeptical of it this year. McCrory’s email was sent after Driggs sent him an email Sunday afternoon asking his opinion on the issue.

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New Poll Shows Majority Of Americans In Every State Supports The Equality Act

A new poll conducted by the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute shows a majority of Americans – in every state – supports The Equality Act, which would ban anti-LGBT discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations.

From the survey:

Support is higher in the Northeast (76%) and West (75%), and lower in the South (66%) and Midwest (71%). Residents of New England states such as Rhode Island (84%) and Massachusetts (83%) are the most supportive of these laws, while residents of Deep South states, such as Mississippi (54%), Alabama (57%), and Arkansas (57%), are the least supportive.

Via the Human Rights Campaign:

Currently, 33 states lack clear, fully inclusive LGBT non-discrimination protections, leaving people at risk for being fired, denied a job or apartment, or refused service because of who they are or whom they love.

In addition to showing strong, across the board support for a bill like the Equality Act, a majority in all 50 states support non-discrimination protections for LGBT people — 70 percent in Florida, 70 percent in Indiana, 70 percent in Pennsylvania and 69 percent in Ohio — all states that lack these protections.

Currently, 50 percent of LGBT Americans live in states where they risk being fired, denied housing or refused service because of who they are or whom they love.

The bipartisan Equality Act, establishes explicit, permanent protections against discrimination based on an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity in matters of employment, housing, access to public places, federal funding, credit, education and jury service. In addition, it would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in federal funding and access to public places.

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Indiana Gov. Mike Pence Can’t Answer Simple Question On LGBT Rights

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence still can’t answer “yes” or “no” to the question: “Should Indiana LGBTs be able to be fired just for being who they are?”

From Freedom Indiana:

Indiana Governor Mike Pence has never been able to answer the question of whether he believes LGBT Hoosiers should be fired for who they are. Time after time, he has dodged the question of why he does not support comprehensive non-discrimination protections for LGBT people. Take action with Freedom Indiana and call for comprehensive LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination here.

 He is, however, very quick to pivot to the “religious freedom” of Hoosiers to be able to discriminate, isn’t he?

Watch below.

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Florida State Senate Considers Comprehensive LGBT Anti-Discrimination Bill

Today, the Florida Senate Judiciary Committee is holding a hearing regarding a comprehensive LGBT anti-discrimination bill.

From Equality Florida:

The committee will hear The Florida Competitive Workforce Act (SB 120) which would prohibit discrimination against LGBT people in employment, housing and public accommodations. This the first time the legislation will be heard by legislators.

“This is a huge breakthrough not only for Florida but for the South and the nation as the third most populous state takes up long overdue, basic protections.,” said Nadine Smith, Equality Florida’s Executive Director. “The Florida Competitive Workforce Act has bipartisan support in both chambers, the support of Fortune 500 Companies, over 400 small businesses and a strong majority of Floridians. It’s time for Florida to pass this common-sense legislation.”

Currently 55% of Florida’s population, in 38 municipalities, are protected at the local level by nondiscrimination laws, but no uniform statewide law exists, leaving many vulnerable to discrimination. The bill would add sexual orientation and gender identity or expression to pre-existing nondiscrimination laws that already cover race, religion, disability, age and other categories.

A recent Harris poll showed half of Americans believe “gay people have the same rights as everyone else.”

Unfortunately, the majority of states — 31 to be exact — don’t have fully inclusive laws in place that protect LGBT Americans from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

UPDATE: Time ran out in the Senate Judiciary Committee and no vote was taken on the Florida Competitive Workforce Act (SB 120) today.

But Chair Diaz de la Portilla guaranteed that it will be the first bill heard in next week’s committee meeting and that there will be plenty of time for questions and discussion.

“Having waited almost a decade for the most important civil rights legislation to be considered by the Florida Legislature in years, we can wait just one more week,” said Carlos Guillermo Smith, Equality Florida’s Government Affairs Manager. “We have been assured by Senator Diaz de la Portilla that our bill will be heard in next week’s committee, that it will be first on the agenda, and that it will be given the full hearing and debate the bill deserves.”

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Montana’s Gov. Steve Bullock Announces LGBT Protections Via Executive Order

Montana’s Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day by announcing an executive order protecting LGBT folks in the state.

Via press release:

In a press conference earlier today Governor Bullock celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. day by noting that it is time to “recommit to King’s values of compassion and equity” by expanding protections for LGBT people in Montana. He also spoke to Montana’s private business owners, stating “while an executive order applies to state government only I encourage private businesses to examine their policies as well.”

“Discrimination in any form is wrong, and through his actions today, Governor Bullock has taken a bold step to expand equality and fairness for all,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “We commend him for doing everything in his administrative power to fight for the rights of LGBT Montanans, and hope his actions encourage other government officials to make safeguarding protections for all residents and visitors a priority.”

Currently there is no federal law or regulation that explicitly bans workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, and Montana is one of 31 states where people are at risk of being fired or refused employment based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Human Rights Campaign adds:

The executive order, which goes into effect immediately, will direct Montana’s Department of Administration to ensure that state agencies, state contractors and subcontractors do not discriminate in employment based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The order also bans discrimination in the provision of government services, and calls for inclusive non-discrimination and harassment prevention programs with an emphasis on cultural diversity.

In 2008, former Governor Brian Schweitzer issued an executive order that protected state employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation. Today, Governor Bullock continues Schweitzer’s pro-equality legacy by extending those same protections based on gender identity, and banning discrimination on both bases by state contractors and subcontractors.

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Indiana: Gov. Mike Pence Indicates Support For Religious Freedoms Over LGBT Protections

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence

In his State of the State address last night, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said he plans to put religious freedom issues over anti-discrimination policies for LGBTs.

From LGBTQ Nation:

The Republican governor said in his half-hour televised State of the State speech before legislators that no one should be mistreated because of “who they love or what they believe.” But he also said that “no one should ever fear persecution because of their deeply held religious beliefs.”

“I will not support any bill that diminishes the religious freedom of Hoosiers or interferes with the constitutional rights of our citizens to live out their beliefs in worship, service or work,” Pence said.

Major business leaders across the state were NOT impressed.

Speaking for the group Indiana Competes, which represents prominent state business interests, Peter Hansom said,“We were looking for a moment of leadership, and what we got is a shoulder shrug.”

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Norman Becomes First Oklahoma City To Pass LGBT Protections

Norman, Oklahoma – home of the University of Oklahoma – has become the first city in the state to adopt protections for LGBT citizens.

Via LGBTQ Nation:

The Norman Transcript reports that the council voted Dec. 22 for the resolution that affirms that sexual discrimination can include gender preference and sexual identity.

Freedom Oklahoma Executive Director Troy Stevenson, since federal law will apply and trump municipal law, it was not necessary to adopt an ordinance.

“As the first city in our great state to fully protect all of its residents, Norman has set a precedent for every municipality in Oklahoma and a challenge to our state legislature to follow suit,” Stevenson said.

Council member Lynne Miller said the city’s civil rights ordinance has been on the books since 1986 and that Norman was affirming that all of its residents have a right to equality.

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SNL Slaps Down Houston’s Anti-LGBT Rights Activists

Via HRC Blog:

Last night, Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update took on the recent vote on the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance.

HERO aimed to protect 15 classes — — from LGBT people to women to veterans — from discrimination. In the lead up to November 3, anti-LGBT organizations launch a fear-mongering campaign that painted a categorically incorrect picture of women in men’s bathrooms.

Actor Pete Davidson called out the anti-LGBT campaign with this great line:

“So the theory is that guys, in their relentless quest to watch women go to the bathroom, are going through years of hormones, surgery, changing their names, their wardrobe, coming out to their families, all for that big payoff of peeing in a room without urinals. What is this fantasy that they think is going on in there?”

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Obama Administration Announces Support For Equality Act

On the same day that President Obama was announced “Ally of the Year” by OUT Magazine, his administration has officially endorsed The Equality Act, which would amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act to protect LGBTs from discrimination.

From the Washington Post:

Speaking to reporters, White House press secretary Josh Earnest said the administration has been reviewing the bill “for several weeks.” “

Upon that review it is now clear that the administration strongly supports the Equality Act,” he said. “That bill is historic legislation that would advance the cause of equality for millions of Americans.”

“We look forward to working with Congress to ensure that the legislative process produces a result that balances both the bedrock principles of civil rights, like those I’ve just described, with the religious liberty that we hold dear in this country,” Earnest added.

Although there is little chance that this Congress will approve the legislation — which was introduced in July by Democratic Sens. Jeff Merkley (Ore.), Tammy Baldwin (Wis.) and Cory Booker (N.J.), and Rep. David N. Cicilline (R.I.) — President Obama’s support elevates to greater prominence the question of whether lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans need greater legal safeguards. Last week, Houston residents rejected an ordinance that would have barred discrimination against gay and transgender people after opponents said it would allow men disguised as women to enter women’s restrooms.

With the GOP-led Senate and House of Representatives, the legislation will not be passed in the near future.